Worm drive toy locomotive



May 9, 1944. M. H. FRISBIE 2,348,616

WORM DRIVE TOY LOCOMOTIVE I Filed Nov. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-'Sheet l INVENTOR W H. ATTORNEY May 9, 1944. M. FRlsBlE l woRM DRIVE Toy LocoMoTIvE `4 Sheets-Sheet4 2 Filed Nov. 8, 1940 ATTORNEY 4:-

May 9, 1944- MfH. FRlsBlE 2,348,616

I WORM DRIVE TOY LOCOMOTIVE Filed Nov. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 9, 1944 M. H. FRlsBlE WORM DRIVE TOY LOCOMOTIVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 8, 1940 FORWARD REVERSE Patented May 9, 1944 WORM DRIVE TOY LOCOMOTIVE Marshall H. Frisbe, Hamden, Conn., assigner to The A. C. Gilbert Company, New Haven, Conn.,

a corporation of Maryland Application November 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,81

'-18 Claims.

`This invention relates to electrically powered toy iecomotives particularly of the vtype deriving current supply from rails of a toy track as by a collector shoe or the like.

Asheretofore constructed the typical electric l,r=;hotive for pulling toy trains has been of atively intricate construction involving a .implicated piece-by-piece assemblage of parts.

the case of toy locomotives having multiple .iving or traction wheels there has customarily seen employed a system ortrain of'heavy and costly spur gears for transmitting driving power individually to each traction wheel.

.A general object of the present improvements is so to construct an electrically driven toy locomotive that the individual parts thereof may be grouped and handled together as unitary subassemblies in order that each such sub-assemblies may be produced complete and independently of any associated sub-assembly, and so that like unitary sub-assemblies can be used interchangeably in toy locomotives of different eX- ternal modeling, and with different other unitary sub-assemblies.

A related object is to use different combinations of a given group of various sub-assemblies for producing toy locomotives differing in overall length, appearance of power, etc.

A further important object is to employ toothed gearing preferably consisting of a simple worm and worm wheel to transmit the power of the electric driving motor of the locomotive to a single pair of its wheels which hereinafter are referred to as the drive Wheels, and to employ instead of repetitions spur gearing simple linkage connections for relaying this power to as many other pairs of traction wheels as it may be desired to incorporate in the locomotive.

A further object of the invention is to provide simplified and dependable automatic electric switching devices for determining whether the locomotive shall run backward or forward, to provide improvements in the construction of its current collecting devices, and in its means for weighting, and to improve the construction and arrangement of auxiliary wheels or trucks aclditional to the drive wheel and traction wheels.

A still further object of the improvements is to make the major parts of the improved locomotive of relatively nestable nature and in other ways to compact the organization of such parts and reduce the number of machining and assembling operations required. This also permits the toy locomotive to be fashioned as a more faithful reproduction of the actual locomo tives which haul modernized nationally famous long run trains.

Associated objects are to make locomotives of the above types less likely to get out of order y during use as a plaything or hobby, and to make them sufficiently lower in cost to thereby become available to a far larger market than has heretofore been able to possess completely equipped and realistic types of toy and model railroad locomotives.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the present improvements will be understood as capable of embodiment in a wide variety of structural forms from which I have chosen to illustrate herein a preferred example which will be understood in fuller detail from the following description having reference to theV accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a toy locomotive embodyin'g the present improvements and showing a section of the track on which it runs.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view looking upward at Fig. 1 with track rails omitted.

Fig. 3 is a view similar 'to Fig. 1 showing the outer shell of the locomotive and certain interior parts in section on the plane 3-3 in Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the motor re- .versing switch showing the opposite side from.

that appearing in Fig. 3, with the switch actuating pawl in dropped position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken in section on the plane 5--5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the v switch actuating pawl positioned as in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view taken in section on the plane 1--1 in Fig. 3 showing the switchactuating pawl locked in raised position.

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 'l showing the switch actuating pawl unlocked in dropped position.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken in section on the plane 9--9 in Fig. 5 looking in 'the direction of the arrows. h

Figli) is an enlarged fragmentary view taken*` in section on the plane Illl0 in Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a bottom perspectiveview of the through one of the drive wheels on the'plane I6-I6 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 17 is a View on a correspondingly enlarged scale taken in section through a link connected traction wheel on the plane I 'I-I'I in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view taken in section through the hollow carriage frame on the plane I8-I8 in Fig. 3 looking downward on the current collector unit. v j g Fig, 19 is a perspective view of the headlight lamp and its holding bracket detached from the shell of the locomotive.

Fig. 20 is a diagram of the wiring connections.

Fig. 21 is an elevation drawn on a smaller scale than Fig. 1 showing a toy locomotive incorporating the present improvements and provided with an additional pair of 'traction wheels.

in the direction of arrow 22fin Fig. 3.

Fig. 23 is a sectional View taken on the plane 23-23 in Fig. 3 lookingin the direction of the arrows and drawn on a slightly reduced scale.

Fig. 22 is a view of the end of the motor looking The carriage frame I for the driving mechanism comprises part of the chassis structure of the locomotive and according to the present improvements carries nearly .all of the major working parts of. thelocomotive and such parts are grouped in compact subassembled units, each of which units may be applied to or removed from frame I0 alone. These subassembled units include the electric power motor of Fig. 14 which as a composite unitv is designated by II, the pair of driving Wheels I2 and I3, one cr more additional pairs of traction wheels as I4, I with their con.- necting pitmans or linkages, the double-shoe current collector of Fig. 18 designated as a whole by IS, the electromagnetically operated reversing switch of Figs. 4 to 10, inclusive, indicated as a whole by I'I, and the ballast block I 8. Each of the above named subassembled units is described in greater detail hereinafter.

Carriage frame II) is representative of various possible forms of chassis frames and as herein shown is conveniently formed as an inverted, box like hollow die casting as shown in Fig. 12 and is provided with external mounting lugs 22 located at the front end and 23 located near its rear end to aid in securing thereto the outer shell I9 of the locomotive.

interior bosses 24 whose ends abut against lugs 22,

respectively. In' the die casting I9 there is fur' Shell I9 also may comprise a thin` walled hollow die casting whose contours provide 24. In this manner the locomotive shell I9 and the frame I0, together with all of the equipment carried respectively by each of these two major die cast parts of the locomotive, may quickly be fastened together and taken apart in manufacture or servicing by the use of the simple two screws 29. Rugged assemblage and accurate relative positioning of the parts result.

The die cast metal of frame I0 may be shaped at its rear end to receive and support an electric motor II by which the locomotive is powered.

This same rear end of the frame provides suitable lugs 22 to engage threaded holes 3| in the bosses 75 bearing for a drive shaft serving to transmit power from motor I I to the drive wheels I2 and I3. These 'features of the rear end of the die cast frame appear most plainly in Figs. 3, 12 and 14. The end wall 35 of frame I0 is seen to be thickened and to contain an inclined elongated hole in which is lodged the bearing bushing 36 having a thrust head 31. Bushing 36 receives and affords bearing for motor shaft 38 on which is. cut a preferably double worm thread 39. On a common axisy disposed crosswise of frame Ill, the side walls of this frame are provided with a pair of bearing holes Iii which are elongated by extending through bosses 4I cast on the inside surface of the frame wall. Additional pairs of bearing holes alternatively usable are shownl at 60, 6I and 62. In bearing holes 40 axle shaft 45 is journaled. On the outer ends of shaft 45 there are xedly assembled with aV press t the drive wheels I2 and I3. Fixed on shaft 45 centrally of its length is the worm gear 46 with which worm threads 39 ofy motor shaft 33 are in mesh.

The parts of motor II which are supported on and overhang the rear end wall 35 of the frame include a stator 41 carrying the eld winding 48l and having at least two diametrically opposite holes, as 49, tting corresponding dowel projections 52) standing out from the rear face of frame wall 35. There are at least two other diametri-l cally `opposite holes, as 5I, through which may pass holding screws 52. The motor shaft 38 carries the usual armature 53 and commutator 5d. The extremity of shaft 38 flankingcommutator 54 is provided with a bearing 44 in. the end cap 55 which latter may be considered a part of the frame structure of the motor and made of insulative material having at least two dowel projections 56 receivable in the `before mentioned holes 49 of the motor stator. carries at least two diametrically opposite holes 5'! through which holding screws 52 pass. End cap 55 also carries sockets comprising holes opening through both the front and the rear of the cap `each hole being lined by the cylindrically curled end 64 of a circuit terminal strip 65 carrying the lateral binding post lug 66 to which a current lead 61 for the motor is attached as shown in Figs. 3, 14, 15 and 22. Curled strip ends 64 provide guide bearings in which the brushes 5B are free to slide lengthwise through both ends of these guide bearings and from which the brushes are free to be removed rearwardly endwise. A wire spring 59 is loosely coiled about each lug 65 and an easily defiectable end of this spring bears forwardly on the free rear end of the brush to resiliently press the brush against commutator S4.

The present feature of advantage in the construction of motor I I as described is its ready accessibility permitting convenient removal of its stator parts alone, as well as independent re-` movability of its armature and worm shaft. The

vbearing as shown in Fig. 14. The two holding The end cap 55 likewisel screws 52 aretheonly parts which must be loosenedV or removed in order to take the motor en.- tirely, or in part, away from the mechanism frame I8. These screws enter threaded holes V32 in frame wall 35.

The side walls of frame |8 are provided with pairs of coaxially aligned bearing holes additional to holes 48 which additional holes are respectively' designated in pairs as 88, 6| and 62. Where only one pair of traction wheels I4 and I5 are em-v ployed additional to the drive wheelsY I2 and I3, l

the axle shaft 63 for such pair of traction wheels carries the latter flxedly pressed upon its oppoif site ends and has bearing in the frame holes 6|. But as illustrated in Fig. 21, two or more pairs of traction wheels 68 and 69 may be employed in place of the single pair i4, I5. Corresponding axle shafts 'l2 and 'I3 may be assembled respectively therewith and may respectively be journaled in the before mentioned bearing holes Iillandv 2.62:

The drive wheel and all traction wheels on op-A posite sidesof the locomotive are linked together by coupling rods 'I8 or lil respectively in Fi g. Lor by coupling rods 'II or 'II respectively in Fig. 2l,

it being understood from the broken line shopw-` i'ng of rods 'I8 in Fig'. l, for instance, that each such coupling rod is pivotally connected to its, drive and traction wheels on one side of the loco-l motive at a point angularly displaced ninety de grees in the plane of wheel rotation from the pointr at which the coupling rod is pivotally connected to its drive and traction wheels on the opposite side of the locomotive. Thus rod 18 is pivotally connected to wheels I3 and I5 at 'I5 and 16 respectively while rod 'I8' is pivotally connected to wheels I2 and I4 at 'I'I and 18 respectively in Fig. l. In corresponding arrangement in Fig. 21 cou pling rod 'll is pivotally connected to wheels I3,

a floating link 98 is connected to and oscillated back and forth by a crank arm 9| fixed on and revolving with the traction wheel. Fig. 17 shows in enlarged detail how larm 9| is made fast to the crank boss 86 on traction wheel I5 by the close fit of its square aperture 85 on the squared terminus 8T of this crank boss where it is fixedly retained by screw 92 while Figs. 1, 2 and 11 show the pivotal connection of link 98 to crank arm 9| at 86 and the pivotal connection of link 98 todepending lever 88 at 93. A further idling member 94 represents a pitman and pivotally engagesr` a round section ofthe same eccentric crank boss 95 on traction wheel I5 to which crank arm 9| is fast. The opposite reciprocating free end of pitman Vmember 94 is concealed within the hollow of an .outward embossed formation 98 onl the locomotive shell I9 .which provides a pocket and represents the steam cylinder of a real locomotive. Fig. 1,1

best shows elongated apertures 99 provided inthe fins fixed on shell I9 within thecylinderformations 96 to receive and guide the free end of mem ber 94 while the latter performs lengthwise, reciprocative movements as traction wheel`|5 rotates. While the parts just described actually transmit no power for driving my improved'locomotive they realistically imitate, in their movements which accompany travel of the locomotive, the reciprocating pitman and oscillating valve gear linkage which conspicuously operates at the. sides of a real locomotive.- Duplicates of parts 88 to`96, inclusivelrespectively indicatedby the same numerals primed, will be understood to be present on the far side of the locomotive in Figs. l and 21 and appear similarly numbered in Fig. 2. In Fig. 21, members corresponding to pitman 94 and to valve gear link 98 may connect to the traction wheels 68 and this particular pairvof traction wheels need not have guard flanges in their engagement with the track rails if drive Wheels I2 and I3 and traction wheels 69 all have the usual guard flanges. In Fig.v 21 also a further pitman-like flat rod Y91 reciprocates lengthwise to represent an additional valve gear part. Rod A9T is pivoted at 98 to 88' and is guided in elongated aperture 99.

Fig.. 13 showsV a ballast weighting block I8, pref erably solid, which may be casi: of lead or other heavy material in a` size and-shape to fit within and more or less completely fill-the hollow interior of frame casting I8 between its front wall |88 and the partition wall IDI. Bothio'f these walls are thickened to contain the threaded holes I 82 which receive screws |83 by means of' which the current collector subassembly unit I6 is held in place as shown in Fig. 3. The weighting block I8 is provided with four legs |84 whose bottom ends rest upon a plate |85 of insulative material which serves as the mounting base for the current collector unit I6. The weighting block is further provided with suitable vertical side grooves, as |86, and end grooves, as |01, kwhich are engaged respectively by vertically disposedpads cast on the4 interior surface of mechanism frame I8, and en gaged by the thickened section of walls |88, |8I.`

Thus the weighting block, while readily removable from the interior of the carriagel frame, is xedly placed there-in by its manner of assemblage and' requires no removable holding means additional to the insulative plate |85. This weighting block is further provided with three crosswise extend-- ing grooves |89, H8, and III inits bottom surface which provide clearance for axle shafts T2, 63 and 1 3 respectively. A further vertical groove I I 2 provides passageway for van insulated wire I I 3 which conducts current from the collector unit I6 to the electrical parts above the frame I8. ,It will be understood that the internal pads, boxes and partition walls which have been mentioned as occupying the hollow of mechanism frame I8 mayeXtend way to the top wall I I 4 thereof if the casting is made by a process which requires ability to withdraw a molding core. Walls 35, |88, |8| or II may be termed transverse walls of the boxlike frame I8. i Y

Referring specifically to the current collector subassembly unit best shown in Figs. 3 and 18,

contact shoes for wiping against the third or power rail IIB are provided by two Cshaped members |I9 whose bowed ends pass through apertures |28 in the base plate |85 and whose pivotally anchored ends |2| are turned down and loosely engage with anchorage holes in said plate.

|95. `Thus the rail contacting surfaces. Of shoes I I9 are free to swing up and down in Conformity with unevenness of the rail top, being lightly urged downward thereagainst by opposite ends of the leaf spring |23 whose central section is secured to base plate |85 in any suitable manner as by the eyelet or rivet |28 to which is soldered the lead wire II3. It will be noted that one of the screws |93 used to hold the bese plate |85 against the bottom of the mechanism frame I8 also retains a drip pan |25 positioned under worm Wheel 46 to catch any drippings of oil.

With specific reference to the reversing switch subassembly unit I1 as shown in Figs. 3 to 10 in a ratio between drive wheel and motor shaft even as 8 to 1 revolutions. It is therefore clear that not only does the motor with the present improved worm drive possess more than twice the mechanical advantage or torque power for starting a heavy load from a stand still, as when a train is on a curved section of track, as well as being free from the frictional resistance of multiple gear trains, but also there is considerably less backlash, or lost play, or looseness in the drive transmission from motor shaft to locomotive wheels so that the more closely coupled elements of this worm drive transmission system pro-duce a positiveness in the starting and stopping and standing performance of the locomotive which is uncommon inrelectrically powered toy locomotives. When current is shut ofi from the track rails, as at a remote control and voltage modulating switch |26, the solenoid |36 becomes deenergized and plunger 3| with its pawl pin |32 drops from its high position in Figs. 7 and 9 to its low position in Figs. 8 and 10 ready to engage with the next tooth on ratchet wheel |33. At the same time, motor is deprived of `power and the locomotive comes to rest. Upon subsequent reenergization of the track rails, solenoid ISU lifts plunger i3! whereupon pawl |32 advances ratchet wheel |33 one step together with current switching drum iii-.li so that the 'new relation of the latter to brush contacts |35 establishes a condition of circuits indicated by position B in the Wiring diagram of Fig. 2i). In this condition one terminal of the motor field winding i8 is deadened whereby the motor is prevented from running. Upon following dee'nergi'zation and reenergization of the `track rails, plunger IS'I respectively again drops and llifts advancing current switching drum |34 another step to establish the condition of circuits represented vby position C in the wiring diagram whereby each of the motor brushes becomes connec'ted to a different end of the motor eld winding than formerly. This .results in the motor running 'in reverse directionand causes the loco motive to travel backward. 'Upon `subsequent deenerg'ization and reenergi'zation of the track rails, condition D of the switch drum |34 is brought about by the repeated dropping and lifting of the-solenoid plunger so that now motor f|| is -again deprived :of current. This described cycle of forward running, current cut off, reverse running, and repeated current cut ori is thus repeated in the sequence reci-ted as Icurrent is alternately supplied to. and cut 01T from the track by remote con-trol |25. lIt is of course understood that motor lis not only a reversing motorbut is also a variable, speed motor .and willrun at a Variety of speeds ranging from a very low speed to nearly as high a speed asthe locomotive is capable of negotiating without .derailing. At the lower speeds Vdetermined by cutting down the track Voltage, the worm `drive -o f tl:1es e improvements enables the locomotive, with'or without its train, to be .run `at .considerably lower minimum speeds without stalling than it has been possible Lto. operate toy .locomotives having spur.` gear drives; .'I-his is because of vthe greater mechanical advantage Ipossessed by the worm drive .motor Vover `its load, the `elimination of frictional .retarding forces and the avoidance of .jerk producing .loosene'ss :all of which-factors have .heretofore prevented toy locomotives from satisfactorily imitating the slow and leisurely speedperiormances of 'realsteam locomotives and from starting satisfactorily on sharply curved sections of track.

Certain features embodied in the aforescribed structure are deserving of particular mention. The brushes l5B of motor are accessible, removable and replaceable through the rear opening to the hollow imitative engineers cab 25 formed at the rear end of the locomotive shell i@ by merely deflecting springs 59 away from the rear free ends of the brushes and therefore require no disassemblage of other parts of the locomotive or dismounting of springs 59 from the moto-r for this attention or for servicing'. The brush springs 59 which lightly urge the brushes 58 against the commutator 54 are lifted rearwardly and upwardly by the operators finger to permit removal 'of the brushes 'from their guideways in the end cap 55, which cap faces up into the engineers cab 20 for this purpose. Brilliance of the head light is increased by making the lens |52 in the form of an elongated body of good light conductive molded plastic or other light concentrating material which is lodged in the hole l and for best effect should project a little from the front end thereof.

Since many departures from the exact shape, construction and arrangement of parts which I have chosen to disclose herein for illustrating the principles of the improvements are possible and will be suggested to workers in the art, my invention and the appended claims are understood and intended to comprehendand .cover all substitutes and equivalents for the herein specifled constructions which .fairly fall within their terms.

I claim:

l. .In a toy locomotive, the combination of, an inverted lhollow shell modeled externally in imitation of a real locomotive vincluding an engineers cab .at the rear, an inverted box-like chassisjframe composed of closure forming walls including laterally spaced side :walls joined :by transverse end walls and nested at least partially within said shell, `driving wheels having .axle shafts journaled in said side walls of the fra-me, and an electric motor carried on the exterior of one of said end walls nearest said cab within the hollow interior of said shell having Ya Ishaft extending through said one of said end walls `tothe frame vinterior in a .direction crosswise said axle shafts connected to impel said wheels.

V2. Ina toy locomotive, the combination oi, an inverted hollow shell modeled .externally `in rimitation o'f a real locomotive including an engineersv cab at the rear, an invertedbox-.like chassis rame composed of closure forming walls iincludin'g laterally spaced .side walls joined at `the top and end by transverse closure walls and nested atleast partially within saidshell, driving wheels having axle shafts journaled Yin said .side walls of said frame, 'an electric motor housed within Ysaid Ashell mounted on and external toa transverse frame wall at the rear end of said boxlike chassis Trame, 'and transmissiongears housed by 'and within 'said closure 'forming frame walls comiectejd to be driven by said motor and connected to drive 'said wheels.

`3. In 4 a toy locomotive, the combination of, a hollow vinverted open-bottomed `outer shell .simulating a'locomo'tive body, ahollowopen-bottomed box-'like chassis frame 'underlying and nested .at least partially vand iixedly within said shell, fdr'iving and traction wheels having 'axle shafts journaled in and spanning the widthof Asaid frame .at poi-nts substantially spaced below the top "of the latter, and a ballast block shaped to accord dimensionally with the interior of said box-like frame sufciently to be confined to a fixed position by the latter in the space above said axle shafts.

4. In a Vtoy locomotive, an electric power plant comprising a hollow chassis structure riding on drive wheels and carrying an electric motor operatively connected to drive said wheels, said motor including a field stator and an armature having a shaft, the said stator being mounted on the exterior of said chassis structure in a manner to be removable therefrom without taking said structure apart, and said armature shaft being journaled in said chassis structure in a manner to permit removal of said shaft and armature from said chassis structure independently of said stator.

5. Worm drive mechanism for a toy locomotive, embodying the combination of, a chassis frame composed of walls housing a cavity, one of said walls containing a bearing hole extending therethrough and opening both to said framehoused cavity and to the exterior of the frame, an axle shaft rotatably journaled in said frame and spanning said cavity, drive wheels on said shaft at the sides of said frame, a worm gear fast to said shaft between said drive Wheels, an electric motor including an armature and a eld stator mounted on said frame, and an armature shaft journaled in said bearing hole between said armature and said worm gear and provided with worm threads in mesh with said worm gear.

6. Worm drive mechanism for a toy locomotive, embodying the combination defined in claim 5, together with a bearing cap on the opposite side of the said motor stator from said chassis frame having the said motor shaft journaled therein.

7. Worm drive mechanism for a toy locomotive, embodying the combination defined in claim 5, together with means carried by the said chassis frame wall which contains the said bearing hole for locating and fastening the said motor stator thereto in predetermined xed relation to said bearing hole. Y

8. In a toy locomotive, an electric power plant comprising a hollow chassis structure riding on drive wheels and carrying an electric motor operatively connected to drive said wheels, said motor including a stator having a bearing cap and an armature having a shaft journaled in said chassis structure and in said cap, the said stator being mounted on the exterior of said chassis' structure and the said bearing cap being detach-` ably mounted on said stator in a manner to permit removal of said cap and armature shaft from said chassis structure and stator without taking apart said chassis structure.

9. In a toy locomotive, the combination of, a hollow carriage frame, a bearing opening into the hollow of said carriage frame, drive wheels supporting said frame having an axle journaled in the latter, a worm gear on said axle within the hollow of said carriage frame, a motor stator xedly mounted on said frame, and a motor armature external to said frame including a shaft provided with worm teeth meshable with said worm gear, and having a portion of its length as large in diameter as said worm teeth journaled in said frame whereby said worm teeth may be withdrawn from the hollow of said carriage frame through said bearing.

10. In a toy locomotive, the combination of, a

carriage frame, drive wheels supporting saidframe having an axle journaled in the latter, a worm gear on said axle, a motor stator xedly mounted on said frame, a motor armature including a disc commutator and a shaft provided with worm teeth meshable with said worm gear, a portion of said shaft being as large in diameter as said worm teeth and journaled in said frame, an end cap detachably mounted in fixed relation to said stator and frame and affording bearing for said armature shaft, and removable brushes supported by said end cap side-by-side in positions to bear against the flat face of said disc commutator thereby to be separable from said cap in a common direction of removal.

11. In a toy locomotive, in combination, an outer shell modeled in imitation of an engineers cab containing a hollow compartment having a rear opening admissive to the fingers of an operators hand, an electric motor including an armature and an armature shaft for driving the locomotive aligned with the general direction of locomotive travel, a disc commutator on said shaft between said armature and said rear opening having a face disposed toward the latter, at least two elongated free ended rod-like brushes, and guide means between said commutator face and said rear opening constraining said brushes to lengthwise sliding movement in a path aligned with said general direction of locomotive travel, said guide means permitting endwise removal of said brushes therefrom so that at least the rear end portions of said brushes may be grasped by the operators fingers for manipulating the brushes and removing or inserting the same end-A wise through said rear compartment opening.

12. In a toy locomotive, in combination, a body casing having an opening admissive to the lingers of an operators hand, an electric motor including an armature and an armature shaft for driving the locomotive aligned with the direction of locomotive travel, a disc commutator on said shaft having a flat face disposed toward said casing opening, at least two elongated free-ended rod-like brushes within said body casing aligned lengthwise with said casing opening, and guide means constraining said brushes to a path of lengthwise movement directed through said casing opening and toward and away from the flat face of said commutator, both ends of each of said brushes being free and separable from both said face and said guide means thereby to be removable and insertable through said casing opening.

13. In a toy locomotive, an electric power plant comprising an elongated chassis riding lengthwise and supported by drive Wheels constituting at least four points of support for said chassis,-an electric motor detachably mounted on said chassis in a position oifset lengthwise from said points of chassis support, and a ballast block at least as heavy as said motor carried by and in fixed rela.- tion to said chassis within an area embraced between said four points of chassis support, thereby to counterbalance the relatively offset Weight of said support and to insure tractive effect for each of said drive wheels.

14. In a toy locomotive, the combination of, a hollow inverted open-bottomed outer shell simulating a locomotive body, a hollow open-bottomed box-like frame underlying and nested at least partially within said shell, driving and traction wheels having axle shafts journaled in and spanning the width of said frame at points substantially spaced below the top of said frame, a ballast block occupying the hollow interior of said frame above said axle shaft, and a current collector device including a base panel spanning and secured to the open bottom of said box-like frame beneath both said ballast block and said axle shafts cooperative with said ballast block to confine the latter within the hollow of said frame.

15. In a toy locomotive, the combination of, a hollow inverted open-bottomed outer shell simulating a locomotive body, an open-bottomed hollow box-like chassis frame under and nested at least partially within said shell, driving and traction wheels having axle shafts journaled in and spanning the width of said frame, a ballast body occupying the hollow interior of said. box-like frame and separable therefrom, and a current collector including a base panel spanning the open bottom of said frame below said axle shafts and removably secured to said frame, said ballast body being constructed and arranged to stand and rest on said base panel.

16. An electrically powered toy locomotive embodying in combination, an elongated chassis frame hollow throughout its length, a ballast block partially lling the hollow of said frame in a manner to leave a cavity within one end of the frame, a plurality of pairs of wheels spaced lengthwise of said frame, an axle shaft connecting the wheels of one of said pairs and extending through said cavity, at least one other pair of said wheels anking a portion of said chassis frame occupied by said ballast block thereby to be weighted by the latter, a gear carried by said shaft in said cavity, an electric motor carried by said chassis frame outside of said cavity and connected to impel said gear thereby to drive said one of said pairs of wheels, and connecting rods constructed and arranged to constitute the sole means of transmitting movement from said one of said pairs of wheels to said other of `said pairs of wheels.

17. In a toy locomotive, the combination of, an inverted hollow shell modeled externally in imitation of a real locomotive, an inverted box-like chassis frame composed of closure forming walls including laterally spaced side walls joined at the top and end by transverse closure walls and nested at least partially Within said shell, driving Wheels having axle shafts journaled in said walls of said frame, an electric motor carried at the end of and exterior to said frame on one of said transverse walls thereof within the hollow interior of said shell and connected to impel said wheels, together with an electromagnetically operated current switch having electrical connection with said motor and carried exterior to and atop said frame on one of said transverse walls CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,5]-1-8616- May 9, 19141;..

MARSHALL H. FRISBIE.

It is herebyr certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring; correction as follo'ws: Page Y, second column, line 28, claim 18, for "shell-like" read --shelf-like--g and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 25th day of July, A. D. 19ML.

. Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

